Released only 2 weeks ago on the Sony PlayStation 4, Galak-Z is garnering rave reviews from critics and players alike. The challenging and dynamic enemy behavior, driven by Cyntient AI, is consistently touted as a major factor for its success. Read what the reviewers and fans have to say...
Gaming Age writes:
It's a remarkably difficult, yet satisfying action game that owes much to the "roguelike" genre. I can say without a doubt that you've not played a game quite like Galak-Z, which makes a pretty compelling case as to why you should already be playing it... The engaging combat and unique controls are married with a solid visual design... It's one of the most unique titles I've played on my PS4 this year, and certainly one of the most challenging. It's a game that will take a while to feel particularly skilled at playing, but this is not an experience that allows for frustration to creep in. Instead you'll be driven to improve while being entertained by all the things that Galak-Z does right. Grade: A-
Digital Chumps writes:
The options at your disposal and the unpredictable load-out of opposing forces guarantees dynamic engagement at every turn. There's always a problem to solve, and no shortage of ways to properly solve it.
Galak-Z may have crumbled without its variable AI. Different classes of ships behave with reliable individuality, and building a mental inventory of their capabilities feels essential to controlling your outcome. I know that Void Raiders only have positional shields, that a certain class of Imperial patrols will retreat if weakened significantly, and that Season 4's Imperial Cruisers operates and evades with wild unpredictability. Even the huge, hulking mechs execute noticeably different strategies in their attempts to take you down. Mixing all of them together, as expected, is a veritable fireworks display. Grade: 9 out of 10
Hard Core Gamer writes:
It's an immersive, challenging and perpetually enthralling experience, and easily one of the best games on PS4.
Each enemy faction features unique crafts with distinct attributes and weaponry, and discovering and exploiting their weaknesses is the first step towards success. But you really are desperately outnumbered at nearly all times, and in order to guarantee a long and legendary career you'll have to use the environments, as well as your enemies' aggression, to your advantage. Enemies in Galak-Z aren't like those in other 2D shooters, however. They're truly intelligent, adapting to the player's movements and environmental changes without hesitation to remain constantly threatening. They're aggressive and thirsty for blood, but you can also use that against them... Galak-Z is full of tactical options and alternate strategies, giving players the power to decide how they want to approach each encounter.
17-Bit's latest creation captures the solitude and tension of space, but also flaunts the infectious feeling of exploring the unknown that makes space so alluring. It's chillingly atmospheric, mixing the ambient sounds of thrusters and laser blasts with a soundtrack of booming bass and space synths, but the real highlights are the dogfights. The unpredictability and intelligence of the enemies, along with the procedural generation of the levels, makes each encounter feel distinct, and by introducing new enemy types and blaster upgrades Galak-Z grows increasingly more exciting as you progress.
Galak-Z is the very definition of awesome. Playing it makes me feel like the badass intergalactic pilot I always dreamed of being as a kid, and I love it even more because it makes me work for that ecstasy. No battle is scripted, nothing is choreographed - my skills do all the talking. 17-Bit's physics-based space roguelike is a truly special experience on PS4, one that has the potential to become the flagship indie title on a platform bursting with incredible creations. It rewards patience, skill and creativity, and absolutely deserves your time regardless of your relationship with '80s anime or 2D shooters. Grade: 4.5 out of 5.0
Polygon writes:
There is no way to play Galak-Z: The Dimensional that isn't remarkably stressful. At best, you can only decide what type of stress you want to submit yourself to. This brutal space shooter requires precise shooting and tactical maneuvers to survive each and every fight. If you fail at that, it becomes a tense stealth game, forcing you to skirt around enemy radar as you try to recover precious lost resources. Fail at that, and - well, let's hope you can outrun an army.
There are a thousand little points of tension beyond the "die and restart" loop, and that's what helps Galak-Z stand comfortably among the best roguelikes ever created. Learning and adapting to the rules of survival in Galak-Z is as rewarding an endeavor as video games can offer... Grade: 9 out of 10
US Gamer writes:
A smartly-designed, highly enjoyable shoot 'em up that does everything in its power to leverage its '80 mecha anime aesthetic. Frankly, there's not a lot like it on PSN these days. On that basis, it's easy enough to recommend it, but what really pushes it to the next level is the tremendous amount of detail put into the enemy design and the combat. Grade: 90 out of 100
Galak-Z is available now for PlayStation 4.
